SHILLONG, OCT 30: The Meghalaya government has directed the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to immediately remove seals put on the Shillong Peak Ropeway Project’s Lower Terminal Point at Madan Laban and withdraw the seizure of project articles, warning that it will take legal steps to secure the site if the council fails to comply.
In a strongly worded letter to the Secretary of the Council’s Executive Committee on Friday, the Tourism department said the council’s Enforcement Wing sealed the site on October 27 and evicted the project staff.
“On 27.10.2026, between about 10:30 AM and 12:00 PM, officers of the Enforcement Wing of the KHADC, led by Shri Kordor Synrem, Inspector entered the Lower Terminal Point site of the Project at Madan Laban. They evicted the project staff, placed locks and cloth seals on the doors of the site office, prepared seizure lists, and obtained undertakings of custody (Zima-namas) from the site managers of the executing agency, M/s KEC-TCL (JV),” the letter said.
The Tourism department said the KHADC took action under Section 7A of the United Khasi-Jaintia Hills District (Trading by Non-Tribals) Regulation, 1954, alleging violation of Section 3.
The government said the project is a public infrastructure project of the state government, with the Meghalaya Ropeway Development Authority as the nodal agency under the Meghalaya Ropeway Act, 2022.
It said forest clearance has already been obtained.
“Final (Stage-II) approval for the use of 2.3257 ha of forest land in Riat Laban Reserve Forest and Riat Laban Forest for the Project was granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change by letter dated 24.10.2024. M/s KEC-TCL (JV) executes the works under the authority of the Promoter,” the letter stated.
On trading licence, the government said the contractor had applied well in advance. “M/s KEC-TCL (JV) is the contractor appointed by the Tourism Department, who had applied for a trading licence on 18.05.2026 after getting the necessary NOC from the Riat Laban Dorbar Pyllun. The issue of trading licence is pending with the KHADC,” it said.
The government contended that preparatory work does not amount to trading. “Under Section 30(2) of the Meghalaya Ropeway Act, 2022 which provides for the Promoter to undertake preparatory activities, including tendering and the on boarding of contractors but shall have to obtain a licence under this section before the commencement of construction. The preparatory work as stated above is not a trade, hence having trading licence at this stage does not arise,” it said.
“Further, the land where the preparatory works are being undertaken belong to the state government,” the letter added.
The government has asked the KHADC to immediately remove locks and seals, withdraw seizure and Zima-namas and release all seized articles, and to confirm in writing that no further action will be taken against the state government, the Authority or the executing agency.
Warning of consequences, the letter said, “If the above is not done immediately, the government will be constrained to take such steps as are open to it in law, through the competent authorities, to remove the obstruction and secure the site and the Project works. You will be responsible for any consequences, including costs and delay to the Project.”
The letter, issued by the Joint Secretary, Tourism department, said it was without prejudice to the rights of the government, including the FIR lodged at Laban Police Station on 27.10.2026, and was issued with approval of the competent authority and Law department.
